One E-mail: (BBW Romance) (One Soldier Series)

One
E-mail
One Soldier Series

Christin Lovell

ONE EMAIL
One Soldier Series

Copyright © 2014
by Christin M Lovell

US Army logo is copyrighted to the
© United States Army.

—~—

This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

To all those who serve, and have served, thank you. Your efforts will never be forgotten.

—~—

1 
Praise be to the 
Lord
 my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
2 
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples
under me.
- Psalm 144:1-2

—~—

ONE E-MAIL

It started with one e-mail.

Madelyn Maxlyn sent one e-mail to the most feminine-sounding name on the list of soldier contacts her book club president managed to get. SFC Taylor Russell was the recipient.

They exchanged seventy-seven e-mails in five months, and somewhere among those seventy-seven, they stopped exchanging words and began sharing pieces of themselves.

Taylor is returning home from war, and it’s time that they meet and discover if a soldier with two years left on his contract with the army, and a plus size woman who has an entire life hundreds of miles away from his home, have a chance at a future together.

Love doesn’t care about obstacles and risks
, but surviving them isn’t always easy.

—~—

Preface

I never knew that one e-mail could change a life, but it changed mine…

One E-mail

Chapter One

From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Sent: February 11, 2014 12:52pm
Subject: Thanks For Your Service

SFC Taylor Russell,

My fingers are crossed and prayers are going up that you’re a woman.

What an intro, right? I’m hoping your years of service haven’t killed your humor. If they have though, feel free not to laugh.

See, my book club, full of single women begging for the next
Fifty Shades
phenom to hit their palms, thought it would be a great idea to write single soldiers in hopes of finding love. I’m not okay with that. The last thing a soldier needs, in my humble opinion, is a group of persistent and saucy Sallies chasing them from across the pond under the false pretense of gratitude.

So, I chose you. Because you had the most feminine-sounding name on the list of e-mail
addresses Sandra somehow got her paws on. And perhaps that makes me as insensitive as them, but I wanted to offer my genuine thanks to a soldier without grappling for more. You owe us nothing and yet you give us everything.

I couldn’t imagine leaving the little family I have behind. I couldn’t imagine having to wait a year to watch the newest season of my favorite TV show. I couldn’t imagine not having the com
mon conveniences that I do. And I don’t have to because of you. You’ve sacrificed it all so that I don’t have to, and, for that, I’m eternally grateful.

If there’s anything I can do to help you, to return the immense favor you’ve done for our country, please let me know. No PMS craving is too small.

Keep your head up, your rear covered and your heart protected.

Sincerely,
Madelyn Maxlyn, A curvy fashionista with a penchant for book boyfriends.

P.S.
Feel free to plot revenge against the devilish six remaining in my book club. I will be happy to help execute it upon your return to the US.

Chapter Two

From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Sent: February 16, 2014 1:14am
Subject: RE: Thanks For Your Service

Hi Madelyn,

It took me some time to decide how I wanted to respond. Like you, I don’t agree with what your friends have set out to do, but it happens more often than you’d think.
We all receive a letter from at least one uniform bunny at some point during our service. They’re easy to spot and even harder to deter than a group of hopeful women hopped up on fictional dreams.

I appreciate your morals as much as you appreciate my service.

If you’re feeling generous, chocolate is always welcome. Baked chocolate is best because it doesn’t melt (as easily) in the desert heat. My address is at the bottom. For the safety of my fellow soldiers and myself though, please don’t share it.

In the meantime, I’ll be passing my time here by plotting the best book club revenge I can muster.

Thanks.
SFC Taylor Russell

Chapter Three

From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Sent: February 20, 2014 11:43am
Subject: RE: Re: Thanks For Your Service

Hi Taylor,

Update: Four out of the six other women in my book club have received a response from their soldiers. Here are the stats: One has a girlfriend. Two are about to have their e-mails read publicly to analyze their boyfriend potential. And the final one might as well have sent a form letter. Sandra was mega depressed because the soldier she chose sent her a one-line e-mail saying ‘Thanks for your support.’ She was the organizer of this deceitful party and is disappointed she couldn’t show us how it’s done
, as if procuring a soldier is a sport. She’s been sulking ever since she received those four words rather than rejoicing that the soldier she chose is still alive.

By the way, don’t worry; I protected you. I told them you didn’t respond to me. That might bite me in the butt later, but I’ve got a lot of cushion in that department. It shouldn’t hurt too
badly.

I live in Orlando, Florida. I know what you mean about desert heat. It is hot, humid and hellish year-round. No chocolate is safe, even in “winter,” from the sun. Your first chocolate package went out. Let me know when you receive it so I know how long an item will have to be protected before arrival. I would hate to send something that should be eaten within a week if it takes two to get there. As a woman, I can only imagine not having chocolate at the peak of a craving. When are you set to return stateside? I’ll send you a fresh batch of something good regularly until then.

Feel free to share your revenge ideas. I feel so terrible for the other soldiers these women have contacted. Best friends or not, they’re sitting in the heat alone on this one.

Take care.
Madelyn

Chapter Four

From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Sent: March 4, 2014 5:26pm
Subject: RE: Re: Re: Thanks For Your Service

Hi Madelyn,

I received your package an hour ago and it’s already gone. The moment the lid came off the tin I was practically jumped. I’ve never been that popular. Truth is, I’m a bit of a hard ass. Being a soldier for over a decade takes it toll on the best of
us. The line between reality and fiction begins to blur. Worse, the more time I spend away from home, the more living in a war zone feels like reality, and the more my life back in Kentucky feels like fiction. Sometimes I swear my childhood on the farm was just a dream.

But that’s what every soldier signs up for on some level. If Sandra experienced my reality for even a day, she would probably be happy she even received the response she did. Al
l women can’t be like you though, I guess.

I told Grayson about you. We’re partnered to do sweeps a lot. He said you sound like a great girl. He may have asked for your e-mail address. But, don’t worry; I protected you. It’s the least I can do. I don’t think I can handle another uniform bunny.

I’m not set to return home until July. Feel free to send more chocolate anytime. I’ve always had a sweet tooth.
Taylor

Chapter Five

From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Sent: March 6, 2014 10:19am
Subject: RE: Re: Re: Re: Thanks For Your Service

Hi Taylor,

A farm? You’re definitely tougher than me. I’m a city girl through and through. I prefer sunsets to sunrises, Starbucks to home brewed
, and department stores to boutiques. I suppose I could have a Green Acres moment and move to the country if I found the right guy, but I’m nearly thirty and he’s yet to make an appearance, so I won’t hold my breath. Although, I will admit that most any man looks better in a pair of tight Wranglers, boots and a cowboy hat. Throw in a sexy Southern drawl and he’d have my panties off in a minute. Funny how country boys are always more appealing than city boys, right?

Speaking of sexy cowboys, that’s what Sandra has talked us into reading about this week. That might be why I’m so hot on the subject. And, our ringleader also e-mailed another soldier on the list I’m now convinced she stole.

BTW, how is that revenge plot coming along? I’m attaching a picture of our book club so you know who you’re working against. We’re all a little rough as we had read two erotic ménage titles that week and finished off four large bottles of wine collectively before Amber’s mom discovered us and took the photo. I’m the one in the dark grey sweatpants, white tank top, messy dark brown hair pulled in a high bun, and glasses, in case you were wondering whom you’d been conspiring with. As you can see, we all get really comfortable for our book club meetings, unless an author is making an appearance.

I’ve mailed another package
to you. We all have our good days and our bad days, but none of my bad could ever compare to yours. Words will never be enough to express my gratitude. If you ever decide to visit Mickey Mouse, I’d be more than happy to buy you a round at the bar. It’s the least I can do. That’s how I chase away my bad days: packages of chocolate and a glass…or four…of wine. Best combo on the planet!

Keep your head up, Tay!
Maddie

Chapter Six

From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Sent: March 8, 2014 1:24am
Subject: RE: Re: Re: Re: Re: Thanks For Your Service

Hi Maddie,

I’m a beer person. In the country, we chase our bad days away with an ice-cold beer and a
lot of sex. But, I don’t swing the way you think I do. I’ve yet to find a single cowboy attractive. I don’t like to claim labels, but I will claim that one. I suppose, in a round about way, I can see the appeal they have to most women though.

A lot of the uniform bunnies chase us after reading about a soldier falling in love from afar in a book. It’s a blessing and a curse that books have so much influence over society.
I think it’s great that you read so much, but be careful all those book boys don’t go to your head. No man can live up to a fictional fantasy.

Just a heads up, I’ll be out of contact for at least a week. This one’s top secret so I can’t divulge anything. I’ll message you when I return safely though.

Take care, sweetie.
Tay

Chapter Seven

From:
[email protected]
To:
[email protected]
Sent: March 15, 2014 7:43am
Subject: RE: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Thanks For Your Service

Hi Tay,

Not sure if the timestamp will show up on this e-mail for you, but it’s early, way earlier than a city girl should be awake on a Saturday. If this is a glimpse at what your family is going through, it’s not a joy ride. I’ve never had that personal connection with a soldier before. While the mentioned loss of one in the news is sad, it hasn’t affected me the way your absence has this past week. It’s got me worried sick. I couldn’t even drink my Starbucks iced coffee. (Anyone who knows me will tell you it’s serious then.)

My fingers are crossed and prayers are going up that you and all the other soldiers on your special mission return safely. Sweet cherry pie, you’re going to give me greys and I’m straight as a nail! Who knew you could care so much about someone you’ve never met and never plan to date?